Page 98 of Why Do Earls Fall in Love?
Whiddon reached inside and took up the box. Unlatching it, he tossed the lid open and peered inside—to see it was full of stones.
The stout figure threw back her hood and let loose a cackling laugh. “Your hoity valet always did say my loaves were heavy as rocks!” She creaked with laughter at her own joke.
“Mrs. Prigg,” he said in disgust. “Where’s Hurley?”
“Where you will never find him,” the old woman sneered.
Whiddon turned his back on her and began to move quickly toward the park gates. Around him, men melted out of the dark and the trees. He paused and pointed at Sterne and Chester. “I have to go and check on Charlotte. Divide the men into thirds. Everyone take a group and check on the wives.”
“We all have extra men watching our homes,” Chester said reassuringly.
“Hurley is sneaky,” he shouted back, already moving again. “Go and be sure!”
Fear goading him, Whiddon began to run.
* * *
“Good evening, Harriett.”
Her cousin approached, running a concerned eye over her. “Are you well, Charlotte?”
“Of course. What can I do for you? I assume you must have an urgent reason for calling. Why are you not out attending a ball or a dinner party? There are still a couple weeks of the Season left.”
“How can I enjoy myself when there are such . . . odd . . . rumors circulating about you?”
“About me?”
“Yes. It’s not true, is it? Whiddon hasn’t harmed you? Physically?”
“Don’t be absurd.”
“Thank goodness. I am glad to hear you deny it. But that makes it truly odd, the things that people are saying. I don’t know where they get such ideas.”
Charlotte raised a brow. “Are you sure they didn’t get them from you?”
“Nowyouare being absurd. Mama and I are both horrified at the things that are being said. They reflect poorly on all of us, you know. The whole family.”
“Fortunately, now you can refute them with a clear conscience. You can tell everyone that you have seen me with your own eyes, and I am just fine.”
“It will take more than my word to clean all of this up,” Harriett said, disapproving. “Mama and I spent all afternoon coming up with some ways to combat the ugly talk. In fact, I think you should come home with me now. We can share our plans and make new ones.”
Charlotte was surprised by the invitation. There truly must be some dreadful gossip out there for Harriett and her mother to willingly invite her into their home. “Thank you. I do appreciate your efforts, but I must stay in tonight.”
Harriett looked around. “Are you sure? You seem to have been left here alone with only the servants for company. You might as well spend some time in the bosom of your family.”
Good heavens. Something was definitely afoot. “I’ve promised to stay in, but perhaps we can meet tomorrow?”
Harriett frowned at her. “Are you afraid to go out, for some reason?”
She sighed. “I’ve already told you, cousin. I have no reason to fear my husband.”
“Fine. Are you perhaps afraid of that man lurking in front of your house? I spotted him when I came in.” Her eyes narrowed. “Is someone threatening you?”
“No, Harriett. That is just the watchman. There are reasons why we are being careful, but I cannot disclose them. Whiddon has merely hired some extra men to keep watch over the house.”
Her cousin shrugged and went to the window. “Watchman, you say?” she asked, peering out.
“Yes.”
